Integrated mattress sheet and waterproof mattress cover

ABSTRACT

A unitary sheet that is provided with a waterproof underside layer. The sheet is used to cover a mattress, changing pad or similar surface to be occupied by a baby or a child. The upper layer of the sheet is a fabric (e.g. cotton) that provides comfort to a baby or child resting on the sheet, and it also provides waterproofing so that spillage or other waste matter does not seep through the sheet and onto the underlying mattress.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of pending U.S. Prov. Appl.62/555,348, filed Sep. 7, 2017, the contents of which are incorporatedby reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to mattress covering, more specifically to a bedsheet having a waterproof backing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mattresses, changing pads, mats and other fabric surfaces used bybabies, toddlers and small children are often covered by a protectivecover that is applied beneath a sheet. For example, mattress covers thatare typically formed of a waterproof material such as plastic or thelike are often used to protect an underlying mattress from accidents orspills.

A child or toddler cannot sleep directly on the mattress protectorbecause it is uncomfortable and unhealthy. Thus, two different units arenecessary—a lower mattress protector to provide waterproofing and anupper sheet to provide comfort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention provide a single sheet dual-function sheetthat simultaneously servers as a bed sheet and as a mattress protector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of two material layers that form thedual-function sheet according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view a dual-function sheetaccording to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a dual-function sheet accordingapplied on a mattress according to embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described withreference to the below-identified figures. However, the drawings and thedescription herein of the invention are not intended to limit the scopeof the invention. It will be understood that various modifications ofthe present description of the invention are possible without departingfrom the spirit of the invention. Also, features or steps describedherein may be omitted, additional steps or features may be included,and/or features or steps described herein may be combined in a mannerdifferent from the specific combinations recited herein withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention, all as understood by thoseof skill in the art.

The invention set forth herein is a single sheet that serves as, both, acomfortable sheet for contacting a child and as a waterproof mattresscover. Referring to FIG. 1 , a cotton or similar fabric upper layer 10is shown disposed above a plastic lower layer 12.

Upper layer has an upper surface 14 and an underside surface 16. Lowerlayer 12 has an upper surface 18 and an underside surface 20.

In embodiments of the invention, upper layer 10 is formed of a 100%cotton. In other embodiments, upper layer 10 may be formed of polyesteror similar synthetic materials or combinations of cotton and syntheticmaterials.

In embodiments of the invention, the lower layer 12 is formed ofthermoplastic polyurethane, similar thermoplastic materials or blendsthereof.

In an exemplary manufacturing process, the upper layer 10 is formed viaweaving and is subsequently dyed and printed. Next, underside surface 16of upper layer 10 is fused to upper surface 18 of lower layer 12. In anexemplary embodiment, heating compound is applied either to undersidesurface 16 of upper layer 10 or to upper surface 18 of lower layer 12.The two layers are then aligned and subjected to a heat source. In thisregard, sufficient heat is applied such that the heating compound isbrought to a sufficient temperature to cause upper surface of 18 oflower layer 12 to fuse with the underside surface 16 of upper layer 10.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a dual-function sheet having anupper layer 10 configured for comfort and a lower layer 12 configuredfor waterproofing.

It will be understood that lower layer 12 may be formed of any ofvarious waterproof and preferably breathable materials.

It will be understood that sheets 22 may sized and shaped to cover anyof various surfaces, such as mattress of various sizes and changingpads. For example, FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of adual-function sheet 22 applied atop a mattress 24. As show, when appliedto a mattress, underside surface 20 of lower layer contacts the mattress24. Upper surface 14 of upper layer 10 is configured to contact a personlaying on the mattress 24. Whereas, upper layer 10 provides comfort,integrated lower layer 12 provides waterproof protection.

It will be understood that dual-function sheet 22 may be configured inany of various sizes and shapes and designed to cover any of differentsurfaces that support a baby or child. In embodiments of the invention,dual-function sheet 22 is form-fitted to fit over a correspondingmattress or similar surface. It will be understood that dual-functionsheet 22 may be provided with a gather 26 or similar elastic region toassist the dual-function sheet 22 in remaining in place once installedon a mattress.

It will be understood that embodiments of the invention provide a novelmethod of covering a mattress or similar surface by providing a singularsheet having an upper layer formed of comfortable textile material (e.g.cotton) and a lower layer formed of a waterproof or water retardantmaterial (e.g. thermoplastic polyurethane) and applying the singularsheet atop a surface to be covered (e.g. a mattress), whereby theunderside surface of lower layer of the singular sheet contacts thesurface to be covered and the upper surface of the upper layer of thesingular sheet is configured to contact a child or infant.

The dual-function sheet of the invention may be used to covermattresses, changing pads, play surfaces or other surfaces that supporta baby or a child. The upper fabric layer of the sheet provides comfortto a baby or child and the lower layer provides waterproofing so thatspillage or other waste matter does not seep through the sheet and ontoan underlying mattress or other surface.

Having described this invention with regard to specific embodiments, itis to be understood that the description is not meant as a limitationsince further modifications and variations may be apparent or maysuggest themselves to those skilled in the art. It is intended that thepresent application cover all such modifications and variations.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of manufacturing a dual-function sheet,comprising the steps of: providing an upper layer having an uppersurface and an underside surface, the upper layer comprising fabricmaterial; providing a lower layer having an upper surface and anunderside surface, the lower layer comprising plastic material; andfusing the entire upper layer to the entire lower layer to form thedual-function sheet; whereby the underside surface of the lower layer isconfigured to contact a mattress to be covered by the dual-functionsheet, and the upper surface of the upper layer is configured to contacta person.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereby the plastic material iswaterproof.
 3. The method of claim 1, whereby the plastic material iswater-resistant.
 4. A method of manufacturing a dual-function sheet,comprising the steps of: providing an upper layer having an uppersurface and an underside surface, the upper layer comprising fabricmaterial; providing a lower layer having an upper surface and anunderside surface, the lower layer comprising plastic material; applyinga heating compound to the underside surface of the upper layer or theupper surface of the lower layer; aligning the upper layer and lowerlayer; subjecting the upper layer and lower layer to a heat source; andapplying sufficient heat such that the heating compound is brought to asufficient temperature to cause the upper surface of the lower layer tofuse with the underside surface of the upper layer to form thedual-function sheet; whereby the underside surface of the lower layer isconfigured to contact a mattress to be covered by the dual-functionsheet, and the upper surface of the upper layer is configured to contacta person.
 5. The method of claim 4, whereby the plastic material iswaterproof.
 6. The method of claim 4, whereby the plastic material iswater-resistant.
 7. A method of covering a mattress, comprising thesteps of: providing a dual-function sheet comprising: an upper layerhaving an upper surface and an underside surface, the upper layercomprising fabric material; a lower layer having an upper surface and anunderside surface, the lower layer comprising plastic material; andfusing the entire upper layer to the entire lower layer to form thedual-function sheet; whereby the underside surface of the lower layer isconfigured to contact a mattress to be covered by the dual-functionsheet, and the upper surface of the upper layer is configured to contacta person.
 8. The method of claim 7, whereby the plastic material iswaterproof.
 9. The method of claim 7, whereby the plastic material iswater-resistant.